PINEAPPLES, cocktails and Hawaiian shirts filled every corner of Northwich as the town celebrated what has fast become the most popular day of the year. The Piña Colada Festival returned on Saturday (August 17), bringing with it the largest footfall figure for any live event held in Northwich. Witton Street, Barons Quay and Apple Market Place were all full of joyful faces as people of all ages enjoyed live music, dancing, games, parades and more.
Ellis Wardle, chair of Northwich Business Improvement District, said: “The town’s hospitality businesses really get on board and the number of businesses joining in with food and drink offers and dressing themselves and their venues for the day certainly adds to the carnival atmosphere. “We know from talking to businesses that this year has been a particularly good one for many of them and that is what this is all about; encouraging people to visit Northwich and spend time and money in our fantastic venues. “With the free activities and games for our younger visitors the event really is becoming a firm family favourite too.
" Crowds fill Apple Market Place (Image: Newsquest) The festival was delivered by the BID in partnership with Northwich Town Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council, with support from Radio Northwich. Councillor Sam Naylor added: “It was great to see Northwich streets full of people enjoying themselves on Saturday. “As one of, if not the, biggest events in Northwich’s annual calendar the Piña Colada Festival has captured the imagination of everyone, with people getting into the spirit of the day by dressing up and coming into town to meet friends and family and it’s something that is a big success for Northwich”.
Friends Lucy Sedgwick, Ann Weston, Amanda Mackin and Jill Cooper enjoy the festivities (Image: Newsquest) While Rupert Holmes’ song Escape may be the raison d'être, the festival has become a hugely important day for Northwich’s independent businesses. For instance, it proved to be another record-breaking day at Goblin Coffee and Beer. Manager Danny McCooey said: “It was a great day for us.
We once again broke our record sales! “We ran out of a lot of stock, so we’ll be bringing more next year.” The team at ABDA was also kept busy. The coffee shop’s owner, Abda Obeid-Findley, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved with Piña Colada 2024, from those who organised and helped run the day, to everyone who came out and celebrated! And of course, everyone who came to see us at ABDA! “It was so wonderful to see the town and our shop buzzing and full of joy, with so much support for our local businesses too.
“This truly is what Northwich needs and we'd love to see this kind of support for our businesses continue.” The ABDA team - Bo Totterdell, Hannah Belayat, Carol Unsworth, Ann Bar, Sophie France and Abda Obeid-Findley (Image: Supplied) Many bars and restaurants had long queues pouring out of their front doors, including That South African Place at Barons Quay. Owner Rayner Muller said: “I think we are still trying to recover from a crazy busy day! Just from seeing all the photos uploaded on social media we can just tell how much a success Saturday was for all.
“To see people flocking into Northwich and celebrate something so unique is really lekker. A true sense of community and how we can all come together for one day and party. “We are so proud of our team as without them we could not have done it.
2025 is gonna be bigger!” Bear the dog got dressed up for the occasion (Image: Newsquest) Equally popular was Grape and Bean. Manager Janine Siddall said: “The day was brilliant from start to finish. This was my third Piña Colada Festival and by far the best one so far.
“Our business very much benefits from the festival each year. “As with lots of businesses sometimes we do have some quieter times which does put pressure on small, independent businesses. “The day itself just helps raise the money to support us through any quiet times in the year.
” Vicky Booth, manager at The Bird and Hat, added: "We served over 1,200 of our famous piña coladas, each one hand made and crafted in front of the customers. "Huge thank you to all involved for putting it on, and to everyone who worked and supported the event, and here’s to next year!’ "Or in our case, when it comes to serving freshly made piña coladas - here’s to next week!" This year’s festival proved to be so successful that Jango Alam, manager at Bombay Quay, has called for it to be made a full weekend affair. “The festival was a fantastic experience for us, and we’re thrilled with how it turned out,” he said.
”It’s clear that the event has improved every year, and I believe it’s grown to the point where we should consider extending it to full weekends in the future.” It wasn't just the hospitality industry enjoying a busy day, with shops and beauty salons also getting in on the action. Carole Mahon from Phase 1 Hair Boutique said: "We had a fabulous day! It was amazing taking part and nice to see our end of town busy.
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